TY - JOUR A1 - Heine, A. A1 - Herrmann, G. A1 - Selmer, Thorsten A1 - Terwesten, F. A1 - Buckel, W. A1 - Reuter, K. T1 - High resolution crystal structure of clostridium propionicum β-Alanyl-CoA:Ammonia Lyase, a new member of the "Hot Dog Fold" protein superfamily JF - Proteins N2 - Clostridium propionicum is the only organism known to ferment β-alanine, a constituent of coenzyme A (CoA) and the phosphopantetheinyl prosthetic group of holo-acyl carrier protein. The first step in the fermentation is a CoA-transfer to β-alanine. Subsequently, the resulting β-alanyl-CoA is deaminated by the enzyme β-alanyl-CoA:ammonia lyase (Acl) to reversibly form ammonia and acrylyl-CoA. We have determined the crystal structure of Acl in its apo-form at a resolution of 0.97 Å as well as in complex with CoA at a resolution of 1.59 Å. The structures reveal that the enyzme belongs to a superfamily of proteins exhibiting a so called “hot dog fold” which is characterized by a five-stranded antiparallel β-sheet with a long α-helix packed against it. The functional unit of all “hot dog fold” proteins is a homodimer containing two equivalent substrate binding sites which are established by the dimer interface. In the case of Acl, three functional dimers combine to a homohexamer strongly resembling the homohexamer formed by YciA-like acyl-CoA thioesterases. Here, we propose an enzymatic mechanism based on the crystal structure of the Acl·CoA complex and molecular docking. Proteins 2014; 82:2041–2053. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/prot.24557 SN - 1097-0134 (E-Journal); 0887-3585 (Print) VL - 82 IS - 9 SP - 2041 EP - 2053 PB - Wiley-Liss CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Heinze, Daniel A1 - Mang, Thomas A1 - Peter, Karin A1 - Möller, Martin A1 - Weichold, Oliver T1 - Synthesis of low molecular weight poly(vinyl acetate) and its application as plasticizer JF - Journal of applied polymer science N2 - Poly(vinyl acetate), PVAc, with a degree of polymerization Xn = 10 was prepared by chain-transfer radical polymerization using carbon tetrachloride and used as oligomeric plasticizer for commercial PVAc. However, the chlorinated chain ends cause a low thermal stability requiring mild Cl/H substitution. The product exhibits high thermal stability and excellent melt-compounding properties. Blends of oligomeric and commercial PVAc show single glass transition temperatures which decrease with higher oligomer content and exhibit small negative deviations from Fox' linear additivity rule. This indicates plasticization and miscibility being mainly due to entropic effects. Injection-moulded thick specimens show ductile behaviour at oligomer contents >10 wt %, while sheets with a thickness of 0.2–0.5 mm appear flexible already at 7.5 wt %. The oxygen permeability coefficients are an order of magnitude lower than those of low-density polyethylene. Due to the sum of their properties, the plasticized sheets present a promising alternative in the preparation of barrier materials. Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/app.40226 SN - 1097-4628 (E-Journal); 0021-8995 (Print) VL - 131 IS - 9 SP - Article No. 40226 PB - Wiley CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hentschke, Reinhard A1 - Hager, Jonathan A1 - Hojdis, Nils T1 - Molecular Modeling Approach to the Prediction of Mechanical Properties of Silica-Reinforced Rubbers JF - Journal of Applied Polymer Science N2 - Recently, we have suggested a nanomechanical model for dissipative loss in filled elastomer networks in the context of the Payne effect. The mechanism is based on a total interfiller particle force exhibiting an intermittent loop, due to the combination of short-range repulsion and dispersion forces with a long-range elastic attraction. The sum of these forces leads, under external strain, to a spontaneous instability of “bonds” between the aggregates in a filler network and attendant energy dissipation. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations to obtain chemically realistic forces between surface modified silica particles. The latter are combined with the above model to estimate the loss modulus and the low strain storage modulus in elastomers containing the aforementioned filler-compatibilizer systems. The model is compared to experimental dynamic moduli of silica filled rubbers. We find good agreement between the model predictions and the experiments as function of the compatibilizer's molecular structure and its bulk concentration. KW - theory and modeling KW - supramolecular structures KW - rubber KW - mechanical properties KW - elastomers Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/app.40806 SN - 1097-4628 VL - 131 IS - 18 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Wiley CY - New York, NY ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Heuermann, Holger A1 - Finger, Torsten T1 - 2.45 GHz Plasma Powered Spark Plug by Thermal and EM-Optimization Y1 - 2014 N1 - Ansys High Frequency Simulation Conference - AHFSC 2014, Munich; 02/2014 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Heuermann, Holger A1 - Finger, Torsten ED - Günther, Michael T1 - Microwave Spark Plug for Very High-Pressure Conditions T2 - Ignition systems for gasoline engines Y1 - 2014 SP - 269 EP - 282 PB - DCM Druck CY - Meckenheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hoehr, Cornelia A1 - Paulßen, Elisabeth A1 - Benard, Francois A1 - Lee, Chris Jaeil A1 - Hou, Xinchi A1 - Badesso, Brian A1 - Ferguson, Simon A1 - Miao, Qing A1 - Yang, Hua A1 - Buckley, Ken A1 - Hanemaayer, Victoire A1 - Zeisler, Stefan A1 - Ruth, Thomas A1 - Celler, Anna A1 - Schaffer, Paul T1 - ⁴⁴ᶢSc production using a water target on a 13 MeV cyclotron JF - Nuclear medicine and biology N2 - Access to promising radiometals as isotopes for novel molecular imaging agents requires that they are routinely available and inexpensive to obtain. Proximity to a cyclotron center outfitted with solid target hardware, or to an isotope generator for the metal of interest is necessary, both of which can introduce significant hurdles in development of less common isotopes. Herein, we describe the production of ⁴⁴Sc (t₁⸝₂ = 3.97 h, Eavg,β⁺ = 1.47 MeV, branching ratio = 94.27%) in a solution target and an automated loading system which allows a quick turn-around between different radiometallic isotopes and therefore greatly improves their availability for tracer development. Experimental yields are compared to theoretical calculations. Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2013.12.016 SN - 1872-9614 VL - 41 IS - 5 SP - 401 EP - 406 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Holtrup, S. A1 - Sadeghfam, Arash A1 - Heuermann, Holger A1 - Awakowicz, P. T1 - Characterization and optimization technique for microwave-driven high-intensity discharge lamps using hot S-parameters JF - IEEE transactions on microwave theories and techniques N2 - High-intensity discharge lamps can be driven by radio-frequency signals in the ISM frequency band at 2.45 GHz, using a matching network to transform the impedance of the plasma to the source impedance. To achieve an optimal operating condition, a good characterization of the lamp in terms of radio frequency equivalent circuits under operating conditions is necessary, enabling the design of an efficient matching network. This paper presents the characterization technique for such lamps and presents the design of the required matching network. For the characterization, a high-intensity discharge lamp was driven by a monofrequent large signal at 2.45 GHz, whereas a frequency sweep over 300 MHz was performed across this signal to measure so-called small-signal hot S-parameters using a vector network analyzer. These parameters are then used as an equivalent load in a circuit simulator to design an appropriate matching network. Using the measured data as a black-box model in the simulation results in a quick and efficient method to simulate and design efficient matching networks in spite of the complex plasma behavior. Furthermore, photometric analysis of high-intensity discharge lamps are carried out, comparing microwave operation to conventional operation. Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1109/TMTT.2014.2342652 SN - 0018-9480 VL - 62 IS - 10 SP - 2471 EP - 2480 PB - IEEE CY - New York ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Huck, Christina A1 - Poghossian, Arshak A1 - Buniatyan, V. A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Multi-parameter detection for supporting monitoring and control of biogas processes in agriculture T2 - Sensoren und Messsysteme 2014 ; Beiträge der 17. GMA/ITG-Fachtagung vom 3. bis 4. Juni 2014 in Nürnberg. (ITG-Fachbericht ; 250) Y1 - 2014 SN - 978-3-8007-3622-5 SP - 1 EP - 5 PB - VDE-Verl. CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Huck, Christina A1 - Poghossian, Arshak A1 - Bäcker, Matthias A1 - Chaudhuri, S. A1 - Zander, W. A1 - Schubert, J. A1 - Begoyan, V. K. A1 - Buniatyan, V. V. A1 - Wagner, P. A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Capacitively coupled electrolyte-conductivity sensor based on high-k material of barium strontium titanate JF - Sensors and actuators. B: Chemical Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2014.02.103 SN - 1873-3077 (E-Journal); 0925-4005 (Print) IS - 198 SP - 102 EP - 109 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Huck, Christina A1 - Poghossian, Arshak A1 - Bäcker, Matthias A1 - Reisert, Steffen A1 - Schubert, J. A1 - Zander, W. A1 - Begoyan, V. K. A1 - Buniatyan, V. V. A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Chemical sensors based on a high-k perovskite oxide of barium strontium titanate JF - Procedia Engineering N2 - High-k perovskite oxide of barium strontium titanate (BST) represents a very attractive multi-functional transducer material for the development of (bio-)chemical sensors for liquids. In this work, BST films have been applied as a sensitive transducer material for a label-free detection of adsorbed charged macromolecules (positively charged polyelectrolytes) and concentration of hydrogen peroxide vapor as well as protection insulator layer for a contactless electrolyte-conductivity sensor. The experimental results of characterization of individual sensors are presented. Special emphasis is devoted towards the development of a capacitively-coupled contactless electrolyte-conductivity sensor. KW - barium strontium titanate KW - high-k material KW - contactless conductivity sensor KW - multi-functional material KW - hydrogen peroxide Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2014.11.258 SN - 1877-7058 N1 - EUROSENSORS 2014 ; European Conference on Solid-State Transducers <28, 2014> VL - 87 SP - 28 EP - 31 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER -